PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh police officer accused of offering legal assistance in exchange for sexual favors was in court this morning for a preliminary hearing.

All counts against Officer Adam Skweres have been held for trial. He faces charges of official oppression, criminal coercion, bribery and indecent assault counts.

Police Chief Nate Harper said that Skweres has been fired, but the president of the local Fraternal Order of Police says that can’t be finalized until the case is resolved in court.

Four alleged victims testified during today’s hearing.

One of the victims, Sarah Smith, was driving with a suspended license in 2008 when she was involved in an automobile accident.

During her testimony, she said: “He [Adam Skweres] said paperwork can disappear and get lost. Pretty young thing like you can do a lot for a guy like me. It would take 20 to 30 minutes of your time.”

She continued, “He said what I do to you won’t be as bad as what they’ll do to you in prison. You say anything you’ll never walk or breathe again.”

Two of the other alleged victims offered similar testimony.

The officer’s defense attorney says there are a lot of coincidental testimonies and aspects to what they heard from the victims this morning.

“I think they all copied each other,” said Defense Attorney Jim Ecker. “One after another, after another, after another. I think… in court, you’ll find a different story.”

“I made a statement, it was off-the-cuff but, you know, a lot of times there can be a conspiracy not just from the defenses end,” added defense attorney Phil DiLucente. “I think that the victims, particularly in 2008, are not credible.”

A formal arraignment is set for April, though the exact date has not yet been given.

Additional charges have also been filed against Skweres for drugs that were found in his truck while he was incarcerated.

Meanwhile, Skweres has been released pending trial, and is currently on house arrest.

Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate Ross Guidotti joined KDKA-TV in 2001 as a general assignment reporter.
During his career, Ross has covered major stories including hurricanes, forest fires, efforts to impeach former President Bill Clinton...